Verification Framework

The Verification Framework

The Verification Framework is an initiative introduced by the Government. The main aims of the initiative are to develop an effective and efficient administration service for Housing and Council Tax Benefits and to prevent and detect fraud. This means that help will be provided to those who most need it and will help to ensure that taxpayers' money is well spent.

How will the Verification Framework affect me?

You will have to prove your identity by providing proof of your National Insurance Number(s) for both you and your partner. An original document with the number on it must be provided. Acceptable proof is listed below:

• P45/P60
• Printed (not hand-written) payslips
• Income Tax letter
• Notification letter from the Benefits Agency
• National Insurance number card
• Benefit Books for most types of State Benefit (but not Child Benefit)

If you do not have a National Insurance number or an original document with the number on it, you must provide TWO different original documents from the following categories:

• Current valid Passport
• National identity card issued by a European Economic Area Member state.
• Home Office Standard Acknowledgement Letter (SAL 1 or 2)
• Full driving licence
• UK Resident Permit
• Marriage certificate
• Utility bill - paid in your name for the last quarter
• Local authority rent card or Council Tax bill
• Divorce or annulment papers
• Certificate of employment in HM Forces
• Certificate of employment in the Merchant Navy
• Printed wage slips from current employer
• Certificate of employment under the crown
• Full or short birth certificates
• Life assurance or insurance policies
• Child Benefit book
• Bank statements dated within the last four weeks
• Letter from a Solicitor, Social Worker or Probation Officer
• Medical Card

If you do not have two documents to provide from the above list, please contact the Benefits Section immediately on 01263 513811.

Please note, if you have not been able to provide evidence of your National Insurance number, and have provided the alternative documents, we will contact the Benefits Agency and ask them to supply your National Insurance number for future reference.

Only original documents can be accepted to support your claim; photocopies are not acceptable. These documents are considered valuable and customers should take care when submitting them. Once your documents have been checked, verified and copied they will be returned to you the same day. If a customer brings original documents to the reception desk, they will be photocopied and returned while they wait. The member of staff who copies your documents will sign them to say that an authorised officer of the Council has seen the original documents.

Home visits

We also have to visit you in your home during the period of your claim. We will write to you to make an appointment for our Visiting Officer to come and see you. If this appointment is not convenient you should contact the office to arrange another date. Alternatively, we may write to you to ask that you renew your claim for benefit by completing a review claim form.

When our Visiting Officer comes to your home, he/she will need to see up-to-date original documents for all the income and capital/savings relating to your claim, even if it is only a short time since you provided them. He/she will also need to ask you questions about any other people who live with you.

The Visiting Officer will check all the details to make sure you are getting the correct amount of Housing/Council Tax Benefit, and may give you advice on claiming other State Benefits if he/she thinks you may be entitled to more help.

These visits are made in accordance with the Verification Framework. If we are unable to make the visits because you have not contacted us to arrange an alternative date, your Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit payments may be suspended or cancelled, which may result in loss of benefit.

Further Information

For further information please contact the Benefits Section at North Norfolk District Council

Email: benefits@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Visiting enquiries Tel: 01263 516091
General enquiries Tel: 01263 513811
Fax: 01263 516106
Benefits Section
North Norfolk District Council
PO Box 2
Holt Road
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 9EJ

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am - 5pm, Wednesday 10am - 5pm or Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm.

A private interview room is available at the Cromer Offices.